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SATURDAY

 

Luke 23:56

 

 

“Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment” (Luke 23:56).  Witnessing the death of their Master and the horrendous events that took place, how were they going to rest?  The eleven, the women, Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, and all the other disciples were in complete shock and sorrow.  The Sabbath was going to be like none other they had known.  Sure, they would comfort each other this day, but the stone was sealed.  They were without their leader; there would be no laughter or smiling with Him, nor would they be able to share the Sabbath meals with Him.  There would be no singing of hymns with Jesus.  There would be reflection, though.  Their minds would be consumed with His death, and thoughts would wonder back to the last Sabbath where they championed each other, lifted Him up in thanksgiving, anticipating the coming of the Messiah to rule the earth, never foreseeing they would have to withstand losing Him.

This Sabbath was going to be very different and a lot less joyous.  Although obedient to the commandment of observing this day, they were confused, upset, and not really sure what to do now.  The women were preparing spices and perfumes to lather the body of Jesus with, as customary in ancient Israel, to honor and respect Him, preserving His body as best as they could after death.  The conversations could only have been speculations of what to do or what they could have done to prevent Jesus from being crucified.  

The sorrow of the eleven, as they had to live with the fact that they fell asleep in the garden the night of His betrayal.  Peter rehearsing the events of Jesus taken in the middle of the night.  Dealing with the astonishment of their brother Judas arriving with guards with clubs and swords to arrest Jesus.  Now Judas was dead as well as a traitor the entire time.  Peter reliving the moments in the garden when he “drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear”  (Matthew 26:51). His anger did not impress Jesus “but Jesus answered and said, “Stop!  No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him” (Luke 22:51).  Peter’s mind remembering “Jesus saying to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?” (Matthew 26:52-54).  Why did He defend the slave and heal him instead of trying to get away like all the times before?  Why did Jesus chastise me when He told me to bring the swords?  (Luke 22:38) Why didn't Jesus call down angels to save Him and cause a huge scene so everyone could witness that He was truly the Son of God?  Then Peter and the others, having doubtful thoughts, maybe He was not who He claimed to be.

They were all wrestling with these thoughts of what they could have done differently that week.  Facing emotions they really didn't anticipate, the loss of the One that held the hope of all.  It’s a good thing God instituted a day of rest after creation because they all sure did need a prescribed day to process this Passover.  Rest was much needed for those who witnessed this terrible day.  

John must have been reminiscing of Jesus saying, just a few days ago, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.  They said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare it?” And He said to them, “When you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house that he enters. And you shall say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ And he will show you a large, furnished upper room; prepare it there.” And they left and found everything just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover” (Luke 22:9-13).  Astonished by Jesus’ miracles, how could He die?  How could He leave us?  If I had only known this would be the last supper I would enjoy with Him, I would have relished it more.  

This Sabbath was not like the others; they had delighted together in the past.  Feelings of lostness and uncertainty covered their hearts.  They saw the miracles; the healings were real, right before their very eyes.  The crippled walked, and the blind could see, in Jesus’ power.  This Sabbath would become the most glorious backdrop for the greatest event in history, yet they could not see it yet.  For now, they rested in His death, marveling at the life and ministry He led them.  For their hearts and minds would need the rest to help heal regret and remorse.  Jesus was the Son of God, but how, since He is dead?